Cardinal Louis-Albert Vachon, Archbishop emeritus of Quebec (Canada), was born on 4 February 1912 at Saint-Frédéric de Beauce, archdiocese of Quebec. He attended the minor and major seminaries. On 11 June 1938 he was ordained priest.
Having received a degree in philosophy from the University of Laval, he transferred to Rome and obtained a doctorate in theology at the Angelicum. Upon returning to Quebec he taught theology at the University of Laval. From 1960 until 1972 he was vice-rector, and then rector. In 1960 he was nominated vicar general of the archdiocese.
On 4 April 1977 he was elevated to the see of Mesarfelta and nominated auxiliary of the archbishop of Quebec. On 14 May of the same year he received episcopal ordination. On 20 March 1981 he was promoted to Archbishop of Quebec.
In 1983 he participated in the assembly of the synod dedicated to the theme of Reconciliation and penance in the mission of the church.
He was a member of the administrative council of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Canada and was President of the bishops’ assembly of Quebec. He had an important role in the preparation and organization of the apostolic pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II in Canada, during 1984.
Archbishop emeritus of Quebec, 17 March 1990.
Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 25 May 1985, of the Title of S. Paolo della Croce a Corviale (St. Paul of the Cross at Corviale).
Cardinal Louis-Albert Vachon died on 29 September 2006 in Quebec.